Bielat’s challenge pushed Frank toward exit

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Barney Frank is blaming Ed Markey, the dean of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, for failing to stop Beacon Hill Democrats from carving up Frank’s congressional district. But the unexpectedly tough fight Frank faced from Republican Sean Bielat in 2010 probably had more to do with his decision than he wants to admit. Frank prevailed, but the race took its toll. Afterwards, fellow Democrats believed he would not seek re-election. Then he changed his mind, and the rest is political history.

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